Baby boom expected after cold December

SNOWED-IN couples are thought to have sparked an Irish “snow baby” boom after lovers found their own way of keeping warm during December’s Big Freeze, experts said last night.

Ireland is expected to echo the birth spike predicted by the National Childbirth Trust parenting charity, which reported a sharp rise in pre-birth antenatal class bookings and enquiries in Britain following the bitter December weather.

Irish relationship counsellors said yesterday they believe this September — nine months after the pre-Christmas snow and ice — will see a baby boom.